Measured-service telephone system



Sept. 28, 1926. 1,601,701

W. W. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE sys'rEM Original Filed Sept 7 19216 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnlilham MERE Ums'n Sept. 28, 1926.

' W. W. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 OriginalFiled Sept. '7 1921 11111112111 MaHEf Ums n Sept. 28, 1926. V w. w. OWENumsuann snnvxca TELEPHONE SYSTEM original Filed ept. 7. 1921 sSheets-Sheet 5 R4 5 g b VILJW V Sept. 28, 1926.

, v w. w. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM Original Filed Sept. 71921 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l'lfflham MERE Ewan I EH H:

Sept. 28, 1926. 1,601,701

w. w. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM or gg 'x-" led Sept. 7.1921 s Sheets-Sheet 5 -Im ren ur-- Mflham MERE? [Imam Sept. 28,1926. L1,601,701

I W. W. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM- Original liled Sept, 7,1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 rim ETT lnfilham MERE! Uwafi Patented Sept. 28, 19 25.

Uhll'lED STATES PATENT orrlcs.

WILLIAM WALTER GIVEN, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN-MENTS, TO AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC INC.,' ()F' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

MEASURED-SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Application filed September 7, 1921, Serial No. 499,011. .Renewed March6, 1926.

My invention relates in general to measured service telephone systems,but more particularly to such metering systems intended for. use underthe complete control of a calling subscriber in extending connectionsthrough a variable number of long distance points, and commonly known aszone metering systems.

Among the objects of: my invention are to provide means forpreventingthe talking circuit from being established until the metercontrolling equipment is in proper condition to start its char ingoperation.

Another object oi my invention is the provision of means for informing acalled subscriber by a distinctive tone when the connection is not yetin condition for conversation, and for removing the tone when thetalking circuit is in readiness.

In a modification of my'invention I have provided means whereby theconnection is always immediately cut through when the called subscriberremoves his receiver, and wherein the charging equipment simultaneouslystarts its charging operation.

Other objects are to provide improved and simplified devices foraccomplishing the above results.

A few metering systems aiming at, some of the above objects have beeninvented, but it isbelieved that the system herein disclosed is lessxpensive, less complicated and is not so restricted in use rendering itmore adaptable to 1 commercial use.

In the system disclosed herein it is assumed that the community coveredby a system is divided arbitrarily into zones of calling, each zonerequiring a unit charge. In most cases vthe unit zone of calling will beall calls in a single exchange or community, while calls from the firstzone into an adjoining zone or community require a 7 double or increasedrate of charge. Then, if a call is made from one zone through a secondzone to a third zone, the charge per each uni of time should bepractically three times as great as the unit of charge. The systemherein disclosed is not limited in any way to necessitate any particularmultiple time arrangement, that is, the arrangement could be such thatany decimal pro portion might be added when going through any additionalexchange.

In the drawings attached hereto I have shown an established connectionfrom one exchange through a second exchange and into a third exchangevwhere the call may then proceed either to the called subscriber in thatexchange, or may be extended still -rurther to lines in still otherexchanges.

It should be understood that each exchange consists ot a member of lineswitches, selectors and connectors, the number-depend- ,ing upon thesize of the exchange, also in selector repeater, instead of the regularconnector used for local calls. I

The selectorrepeater is then operated to pick out an outgoing trunk lineto the proper exchange and the next series of impulses are then repeatedby the selector repeater tothe incoming selector in the other exchange.The incoming selector is then oper ated to either seize a connector inthe other exchange it the call is local or to seize a selectorrepeaterin said other exchange if the call is to be extended to stillanother exchange.

In the drawings Fig. 1 showsa calling line A in the first exchangehaving a line switch C indivioual thereto, which has access to aplurality of selectors such as D. The selector D it will be understood,has access to the regular connectors such as shown, at H (Fig/l) fromcertain levels and also has access to a few selector repeaters one ofwhich is shown at E (Fig. 2) and which in turn has access to trunk linesto other exchanges. The trunk line shown leads to another exchan e andterminates there in also to the selector repeaters such as G for callswhich are to be extended to other e:; changes.

The selector repeater G is the same as the selector repeater E (Fig. 2).

In Fig. at is shown a selector I of the same type as selector F with theexception that an extra relay has been provided for sending anadditional impulse 'to the mechanism B (Fig. his selector is shown ashaving access to a connector H of standard type which in turn has accessto the local lines oi the third exchange, the local lines although notshown are of the same type as that shown at substation A, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a selector repeater very similar to the selector repeater E(Fig. 2), but slightly modified to operate the meter controllingequipment shown in Fig. 6 which is another modification of my invention.

1 will now explain more in detail the operations oi" the switches in thevarious exchanges when the subscriber A sets up a long distance call toa subscriber either in the second zone or exchange or in a third zone,first describing the operation of the syst m when using the metercontrolling equipment shown in Fig. 2 and then giving a description ofthe method of operation when Figs. 5 and 6 have been substituted.

When the subscriber at A removes his receiver he operates the lineswitch in well known manner, closing the line circuit and operating linerelay 2 which closes a series circuit for switchin relay 3 and rotarymagnet 4: in series and also prepares a short i circuit about relay 3 tothe private wiper. Should the first trunk line be busy the ground on theprivate wiper operates tie rotary magnet l to step the wipers ahead toan idle trunk. When the idle trunk is reached relay 3 is no longershorted and energizes to cut off the direct rotary magnet circuit and toswitch the line circuit through to the seized selector D (assumed to bethe switch seized Relay 3 also closes one point in the circuit of themeter X which is connected thereby through a fourth wiper 5 to theselector.

As soon as s witch D is seized, its line relay 6 energizes over the linecircuit and closes the circuit of slow relay 7 which grounds the releasetrunk to hold switch C on the trunk and prepares a circuit for thevertical magnet 8 and series slow relay 9.

The first series of impulses now operate the relay 6 and cause thevertical magnet 8 to step the wipers to a desired level, in this casassumed to be the level in which outgoing selector repeaters such as Eare located. As soon as the switch ta res the first vertical step thesprings 10 close and relay 11 operates to close the circuit of therotary magnet 12. As soon as relay 9 falls back after the impulses ceasethe circuit of rotary 13, which has heretofore been short cirl by theground on the private wiper,

"- sc es with relay ll, relay 11 beas not energize in series inc o1eration of relay 13 switches the line circuit ti seized selecto'repeater E (Fig. 2) and also closes another point in the circuit of themeter magnet springs A.

I cuit is extended to the selector repeater a circuit is completed forthe line relay in series with the calling line. U 'neraizes and in rnoperates r e- 16 which grounes the release trunk to r lays anl 13 of theline switch C elector D energized and prepares the air of vertical maget l7 in multiple lbil the slow relay 18. its the next series ofimpulses are sent y responds thereto and operates ct 17 to step thewipers 19, 20. and 21 of the selector repeater to some level in whichare located trunk lines leading to the eX- in which it is desired tocall. Relay 168 and remains energized during this series impulses andholds the rotary interrupter relay 22 energizer Relay 22 s up throughsprings of rotary magnet 315i the oil normal springs 25 and holds slayshort circuited for the present. soon as the inriulses of this secondcease and relay l8 ialls through springs 26, sp 1R lay 2i springs 29 anspri s 31 o i relay 22 and 23 to battery. Magnet 23 now operates to stepthe wipers onto the first set of contacts in the selected leve and ooenstl e circuit of relay at sprii Relay iallsbacl; and opens the circuit ofmagnet 23 at springs 31.

hen a circuit would be completed from round over-the private wiper 21,throughprings 33 and 341: springs 32, springs 25 and Relay 22 againcloses e trunk line reached at which time are hen the line 7 hould thefirst set of contacts be busyiroua'h to the wipers and to the 22 Relay24, upon energizing, opens the circuit of vertical magnet 17 opens therotary magnet circuit at springs 27 and 28, and completes a lockingcircuit for itself to the private wiper 21 through springs 33 and 27,and through relay 22' to battery, relay 224 also opens springs 33 and 34to prevent its being shorted out when ground is supplied to the privateby the switch ahead. Relay 24 also closes a bridge at springs 35 acrossthe seized trunk which is assumed to lead to the incoming selector F ofthe next exchange The circuit thus closed for the line relay of saidselector F extends from ground through the lower winding of line relay36, springs 37 and 38, conductor 39, contact 40 and wiper 20, springs 41of line relay 15, relay 42, upper winding of polarized relay 43, springs35, wiper 19 and contact 44, conductor 45, springs 46 and 47, andthrough the upper winding of relay 36 to battery. Relays 36 and 42energize over this circuit, relay 42 closing the circuit of thepolarized winding of relay 43. Relay 43 is so constructed that bothwindings must receive current in the proper direction t and does notenergize at this time due to the fact that current flows in oppositedirections in its two windings. It will be seen that the magnet 48 atselector repeater is connected through the high resistance 49 andsprings 51 and to one side of the line circuit, magnet 48, however, isso adjusted and resistance 49 is of such a value 35 that the magnet doesnot energize with the normal current flow over the line circuit. Relay36 of selector F, upon energizing, causes relay 52 to operate to preparethe vertical magnet circuit and also to close a circuit for relay 53 atsprings 54. Relay 53 while energizing momentarily closes a circuit fromthe special battery Y through the magnet 48 and resistance 49 at theselector repeater E as follows: Battery Y through resistance 54, springs55, 56 and 57, over conductor 39, contact 40, wiper 20, springs 50 and51, resistance 49, magnet 48 to battery. Current from the battery Y nowassists the current flowing from the regular battery through magnet 48and causes said magnet to operate once to step the wipers of theauxiliary or minor switch B to their first contacts. Should the trunkline 3945 be of double length for which one unit of charge is requiredthen it would be necessary to have an additional contact grounded on theinterrupter, or the relay 53 of the incoming selector associatedtherewith arranged to send two impulses by adding a av such as 300 inthe manner shown in the selector 1, Fig. 4, to operate the magnet N, O,P, etc, only the first four of which are shown. These interrupters maybe of any desired type or construction. For simplicity I' have shown theinterrupters mounted on a common shaft the same car rying wipers 58, 59,60, 61, etc., each wiper passing over a series of contacts one or moreof which are grounded. The shaft may be constantly rotated by anysuitable means, at

a speed that will cause the interrupters N to revolve one revolution perminute sending one impulse per minute or faster 1f desired. Thus it Wlllbe seen that if wiper 59 were connected to the meter two impulses.

per minute would be transmitted to the meter. lt'will be seen that themanner in which the contacts of the various banks may be grounded wouldbe varied according to the various lengths of the trunk lines throughwhich the connection is being 6X- tended thus providing a very flexiblearrangement for operating the meter by simply grounding variable numbersof the contacts of the banks associated with the. interrupters. Thewiper and bank combination R is arranged to serve as an auxiliary switchand operates to complete the connection at the proper time, as will behereinafter more fully exnlained. The switch B is operated over the lineas the connection is being eximpulses are sent from the calling devicethey operate the line relay 15 of the telephone repeater E (Fig. 2) asfor the previous digit. In this case, however, the only effectivecircuit controlled by the line relay 15 is the circuit of the line relay36 of the selector F. Each time relay 15 operates it opens a circuit atsprings 41 for said line relay 36. Relay 15 also maintains both of theslow relays 16 and 18 operated during impulses. Relay 18 whileenergized, maintains a short circuit about the two relays 42 and 43 inthe circuit of the line relay 36 to give more positive operation of saidrelay. The circuit for line relay 36 extends from ground through itslower winding, springs 37 and 38, conductor 39, contact 40' and wiper20, springs 41, springs 66 of relay 18, springs 35, wiper 19 and contact44, con ductor 45, springs 46 and 47 and upper winding of relay 36 tobattery.

Line relay 36 therefore responds to this operation of relay 15 and theselector F operated in the same manner as was the level al to seiz thethe calico rice. in t is case, how e ssinnecl that the call is to he extnder st farthe th is second exche x5e, anal J: 1, f 4 lore US operat orsuch a nuifi-e tor outgoing c; m .l!

rhereiore s 7 .7 r energ zes tn peater .11 is 86 under tl 68 1S rnethuinol' lmpuls of of leading to the ne ates to grounci relay 70 01' thepares the ciirc and relay ?2 that G has 1 4. T? SGiQCLOl' a l D and thery therefore minor s the imp" springs S teriee Y and E fore operatesminer L switch B to having been between the no l n th,

second 211 (l length. 'lnei The next series of 'inpulses will ope "ate Iis back operation to automatically select an iclle connector, assume-clto be the con- The next sei i s of impulses Will "e relay 88 of theconnector H lard typ to step the Wipers 89 outs ground or pares thecira'l ter the slow relay 93.

' ipulses ill operate net 92 to step the 01" the desired subrelay 88 heline is idle, es and locks enerr Winding of the 99 of the Relay 99ineffective cio 1G0 vhich are at roses the circuit of the re- ;e torevexse the ,onnection i; the 'allnng circuit scriber This reve theoperation of ele of the sel ctor reg e same manner as rel e3, however,

s a point in a 7 of the callcc to the interrupter G goint in the circuitn that as soon as letecl to the called tor repeater E, Fig. iinectecl tothe called igh springs 111 and h cellee subscriber that a c nice to hisline. When the switch it arrives at its gro t relay 49 energizes overtie llowing circuit, springs 1080f relay *elay S"? and magnet 86 ive thebusy signal 43, winding of relay 19, second contact of left bank ofswitch B, wiper 109, wiper 106 of switch R and its first contact, toground. Relay 49 energizes over this circuit and locks up throughsprings 174, at springs 111 removes the tone from the extended line, atsprings 64 completes the circuit of the meter X, and at springs 61 and112 closes the talking circuit.

It may be stated at this time that should the wiper 106 be upon itsgrounded contact at the time relay 13 energized the relay 19 wouldimmediately energize and no tone would be extended to the calledsubscriber and the connection would immediately cut through. It will beseen therefore, that as long as conversation continues the magnet X willcontinue to operate three times per each one half revolution of theshaft until either of the relays 16 or 43 are deenergized by the hangingup of the receiver at the calling or called station.

It will be understood that a call may be thus extended through anynumber of intermediate zones or exchanges, and that the minor switch ofthe outgoing selector repeater of the exchange in "which the callingsubscriber is located, is the only one which is effective to operate themeter and may be connected to any one of a plurality of commoninterrupters during the progress of a call. Also it will be understoodthat the interrupters M. N. etc, are common to all the outgoing selectorrepeaters of an ex change and may be operated continuously or at leastas long as any, selector repeater is being used. It will be seen thatthe operating impulses for controlling the minor switch in theoriginating exchange are repeated back through the various selectorsbetween series of impulses and that the connections from the magnets 48,78. etc., of the selector repeaters are cutoff from the talking circuitby the relays 18 and 72 during the transmission of impulses and by therelays 43 and 99 during conversation.

A detailed description having been given of one method of controllingthe operation of the meter, it willnow be shown how the modificationshown in Figs. 5 and 6 may be operated to control the meter.

Upon making a study of Fig. 5 it will be found that the selector V isvery similar to selector E, with the exception that the relay 49 hasbeen omitted and that relay 243 controls slightly different circuits forcon trolling the operation of the meter controlling equipment shown inFig. 6.

In the controlling circuit shown and described in Fig. 2 theinterrupting equipment was shown common to an exchange and theinterrupters were constantly rotated and therefore the tone was requiredto inform the called subscriber that a call was being extended to hisline until the switch cut thorough or until the interrupter arrived at acertain point, all as has been previously explained.

In this modification, however, this tone is unnecessary as there areprovided a plurality of interrupters preselected by switch S, which isindividual to the selector, the iinerrupters are controlled by magnets301, 302, 303, 30a, etc. A switch B similar to switch B is providedindividual to the selector and operates over the same circuit andperforms the same function as does switch 13, with the exception that ithas wipers for connecting any one offa plurality of interrupter setswhich may be taken for use.

The relays 305308 are also individual to the selector and are operatedin multiple with magnets 301, 302, etc., to close a point in the metercircuit and the particular contact chosen by switch 13 through the wiperof the chosen interrupter set.

The wipers 353, 357, 355, 352, and 356 are so arranged that no breakoccurs in moving from one contact until another is engaged for reasonsto be hereinafter explained. The operation of switch S is as follows: ewill assume that the wipers of switch S are resting on the firstcontacts of the group of interrupters which are idle, and another switchS also is setting on the first set of contacts; then if the selectorassociated with the other switch S is operated an operating circuit willbe completed from ground, contacts similar to 2224:, to and through thewiper and contact of its switch S-first position, to magnet 301. Themagnet 301 steps the wipers 352, and the wipers shown connected to wiper352 by a shaft on to the grounded contacts and a circuit is thencompleted from ground wiper 352 to the first contact of switch S, wiper353, through break springs 239 to magnet 309, causing the same to movethe wipers to the next idle bank contact. It will thus be seen that theswitches S always preselect an idle irterrupter set.

We will now assume that the call has been extended as described in theprior arrangement and that the operating impulses for controlling theswitch B in the'originating exchanges are repeated back, all as has beenpreviously explained, and in this case the switch B will therefore haveits wipers resting on itsthird contacts.

When the called subscriber responds the relay 243 energizes the same aswas described for relay 43, but in this case the interrupter set havingbeen preselected the connection is allowed to be immediately cut throughand the relay 243 closes a circuit from ground, springs 24%, conductor24:5 to point 349 where the circuit branches to operate relay 305 andmagnet 301 in multiple through wipers 346, 366, and their firstcontacts, it being assumed that the first interrupter set is iele andthe wipers of switch S are resting thereon. Under the condition assumedin this particular call the meter operating circuit maybe traced as"follows: Ground, wiper 850, conductor 3551, third contact of upper bankof switch B wiper 3&7, make springs of relay 305, conductor 3%, springs248, springs 238, back over the previously described circuit to themeter X. The magnet 801 interrupts its own circuit at springs 358 andcontinues to step its associated wipers around until the calling orcalled subscriber replaces his receiver, whichv causes the circuit to beopened at relays 215 or 24-3, and thereby cause the disconnection of themeter from the line. Should the disconnection be brought about at a timewhen the interrupter is off normal the same will have an operatingcircuit extending from the grounded wiper 352 through the springs 358for continuing: the operation of the interrupter magnet until normalposition is reached and the ground removed from the contact of theswitch S, making the set available for another call.

I have shown the minor switches B, B and B only diagrammatically itbeing understood that these switches may be 0!? any approved and simpletype. As shown these switches are of the type which have a holding dogsuch as 105, these dogs being disengaged from the ratchet teeth when therelease magnets of the associated switches operate to release theswitches, thus restoring these switches to normal. The switch 5'') maybe of any simple rotary type which al ways operates in a forwarddirection havinc; no normal position.

It will also be llIlflGlStOOCl that in case a call is set up from acalling subscriber such as A, through a line switch C, aselector D and aconnector H, (Fig. 4) to a subscriber in the same exchange then themeter X will be operated once when the called party answers by theoperation of the ring cut oil relay 96 of the connector, which connectsground to the meter trunk or fourth conductor and holds the magnet Xenergized until conversation is terminated. It will also be understoodthat each line may be provided with a standard type of reverse batterymeter, controlled by a polarized relay in series with the line circuitwhich will register all local calls whenever the reverse battery relay98 of a local connector energizes. In this case the springs 97 of theconnector and the conductor controlled thereby may be omitted and meter-X will then register only long distance calls.

t will therefore be seen that I have pro vided a very efiicient andsimple system of zone metering; which requires very little additionalequipment and in which most of the additional devices are common to theswitches of an exchange.

Having fully described and ascertained the features and aspects of myinvention, what I consider to be new anu desire to have protected byLetters Patent will be pointed out in the appended claims.

lVhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a telephone system, callinglines, meters therefor, zones of calling arbitrarily established, ameter controlling device, a plurality of code interrupters accessible tosaid device each for operat' the meter a predetermined number of tiesper interval of time in accordancewith the toll rate for calling into acertain Zone or Zones, each interrupter having a. code st rt-ing point,anc means made operative during the extension or" each call for holdingthe connection open until the code interrupter selected to charge fortnat call is in its starting position.

2. In telephone system, calling" lines, meters therefor, zonesot callingarbitrarily established, a plurality of code interrupters accessible tosaid device each for operating the meter a predetermined number of timesper interval of time in accordance with the toll rate for calling into acertain Zone or zones, each interrupter having; a code starting point,and means made operative during the ex tension of each call for holdingthe connection open until the code interrupter selected to charge forthat call is in its starting position, and for giving" a distinctivetone to the subscriber while the connection is being so held.

3. In a telephone system calling lines, called. lines located indifferent Zones otcallfor which Zones, different rates of charginc arerequired. a series of code send s each sending a different number ofimpulses per unit of time, means operated when calling into any Zone fors .ecting the code sender which is arranged to charge or that Zone, andmeans for holding each connection open until the code sender selected isin proper position to start its charging operation.

4. In a telephone system, a callin line,

other lines accessible to said calling line over trunk lines ofdifferent lengths. a meter for the calling line, a meter controllingdevice common to the lines, a plurality of code impulse sending devicesaccessible to said controlling device having" a normal position. saiddevice operated during the extension of a call to select the impulsesender which will operate the meter the proper number of times to chargefor the particular call. and means associated with the meter controllingdevice for preventing the connection from being finally establisheduntil the impulse senders are in normal position.

5. In a telephone system, subscribers lines. trunk lines, means forvextending a talking connection from a calling line over metercont-rolling; device, a-

a number of said trunk lines to a called one of said lines, a meter forthe calling line, a plurality of meter controlling devices, a plurality0t interrupter-s common to said devices and operated by a common shaftmeans associated with each trunk line for transmitting one or moreimpulses to said device as the call is extended thereover, said deviceresponsive to said impulses to connect said meter to one of saidinterrupters, and means controlled by the called subscriber for causingsaid meter to be operated at a rate predetermined by the interrupterconnected with.

6. In a telephone system, subser bers lines, trunk lines, means foreI-Itending a talking connection from a calling line over a number ofsaid trunk lines to a ca one of said lines, a meter for the callingline, a plurality of meter controlling devices, a plurality ofinterrupters common to said devices and ogeratedhy a co non shalt, meansassociated with each trunk line for transmitting one or more im nilsesto 'd device as the call is extended thereover, device responsive tosaid impulses to nect said meter to one of said interrupters, andmeanscontrolled by the called subscriber for causing said meter to be op atedat a rate predetermined by the int rupter connected with, and means forpreventing the completion of the talking cir cuit until the interruptersare in the proper position to operate the meters.

'TfIn a telephone system, a subscribers line, a meter therefor, trunklines, automatic switches accessible thereto and through which talkingconnections may be extended from said line over any nur' ber of saidtrunk lines, an auxiliary switc device associated with each switch, aplurality of interrupters common to said automatic switches, saidswitching device operated over the various trunk lines as the call isextended thereto to pick out a automatic certain one of saidinterrupters, and means for permitting the selected interrupter to startto operate the meter to charge at a predetermined rate only when saidinterrupters are in normal position.

8. In a telephone system, lines, a meter for each line, automatic swches accessible o any line for extending talking connections therefrom,meter controlling devices common to said switches, means for sendingimpulses ot booster battery from the extended connection, a step by stepswitch responsive to said impulses to pick out a meter controllingdevice, and means for preventing closure or" the talking circuit untilthe meter controlling devices are in normal position.

9. ln a telephone system, a calling line equipped with a meter, a calledline, means including trunk lines and serially related automaticswitches for interconnecting said lines, a plurality of constantlyoperating meter operating devices common to said trunk lines, and arelay in one of said automatic switches for completing the talkingconnection between said lines and for simultaneously starting thecalling subscribers meter to periodically operate at a time contingenton the condition of the meter operating equipmentat the time the call isanswered.

10. In a measured service telephone sys tem, calling and called lines,means for interconnecting said lines and for then signalling the calledline, call charging equipment associated with the connection and meansopera tive as a result of the call being answered, operative at a timecontingent on the condition of the charging equipment at such time,

to complete the talking connection bet veen said lines and to cause thecharging equipment to effectively function.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day ofAugust, A. l).

WILLIAM l/VALTER OWEN.

